Did you get a free update to 2008 maps?

Model: GARMIN nuvi 350
Purchase Date: August 29, 2007
Retailer: Amazon.com
Map Version: 2008 (came with it preinstalled)

Model: Garmin C530
Purchased a few weeks ago online
Got free upgrade after single phone call to tech support.
Was asked all the details on the phone, i.e. serial number, registration code, date purchased, etc. I had created an account with Garmin prior to making the call.
I spoke with Paul at Tech Support.

I just got an email today from Garmin saying I just need to confirm information and they would send me my FREE map updates. I went online and the only thing I had to confirm was my mailing address........so after multiple emails to them...

I AM GETTING MY FREE MAPS .........NICE MOVE GARMIN NICE MOVE!!!!!!!!!

so how come I bought mine after you did andI can't get the update, I also have c550, who did you email?

I just sent an e-mail and asked for a free update. I purchased my Garmin C340 in February. Garmnin sent me the 2008 disk. No invoices to fax or other begging necessary.

* Model: NUVI 350
* Fathers Day Gift
* Talked to Mark in Tech Support first week of August - he verified online registration and my serial number.
* Received map August 27th. Works great!

• Nuvi 350
• Purchased May 27, 2007
• Received free update with a single phone call. Spoke with Chris V, he asked for the date I purchased it, I provided it, and he informed me I was eligible for a free update. I did have to email a scanned copy of my store receipt for proof.

Chris V even registered my device for me, since I had misplaced the yellow unlock code from the original box.

I received the disc on 8/30 and installed just fine (it does take a while, doesn't it?)

Frankly, the best customer service I have experienced in quite a while. I was truly impressed.

Good morning, redbarber:
I got half grey and half black hair. I got ignored a lot, especially when it comes to pay raise. Do I still qualify for membership for National Association for the Advancement of Red Headed StepChildren?

I've been a garmin user since 1991, I purchased a 660
that had the 2008 maps already installed. I use mapsource so I sent an e-mail to tech support asking if I could get the DVD for use with mapsource. Received it within 5 days.

I purchased my Garmin C580 on EBay in mid-July from a person who purchased it on July 1. He sold it as his company then gave him a unit as he travels. Fortunately he registered it on MyGarmin and gave me the User/Pw. I updated the profile to my own name/address etc. I called Garmin for an updated map and they simply looked me up on MyGarmin while on phone and said: "No problem, we will mail it out today". I received it the end of July.

I have emailed support 2 times and i didnt even get a responce the second time. I am going to have to call now and ask for a manager.

Got the free update today. Called on August 23/07.

I am having a problem understanding how to unlock the maps once it is on my computer.

I keep going in circles. I must be missing something.

Nuvi 350

April 29th, 2007

Free upgrade through the link on Garmins website

Register the unit and click on link in MyGarmin

Now if only the people on channel 5 in Cincinnati didn't butcher the WEBN fireworks it would have been a really great day.

Purchased 8/16/07
I email them twice on 9/6 and 9/7. I haven't get reply yet. If not, I will call them next week.

Your GPSR model - Nuvi 350
When you bought it - 4/29/07
Did you get your upgrade free? - Yes
What did you have to do to get it free? - Online support said no, phone support said yes after I explained I was only 2 days late of their 5/1/07 limit.
If you were unable to obtain a free update, what was the reason given?
Do you know who you dealt with at Garmin - Yes, Landis who was very helpful and polite.

Is the 2008 map pre-installed on the garmin same "full" version as the 2008 map at retail stores?

Yes, the maps are the same.

I currently own a NUVI 350 and was debating if I should purchase a new unit w/BT capability. The thought of sinking another $70 dollars in the 350 bothered me. However, the choice was made easy when I signed in to GARMIN and after registering was notified that I was eligible for a free Update. Needless to say, the 350 will be around for at least another year.

I received the update about a week later. Had a bit of a problem loading the new map due to lack of memory, until I read a few posts and learned that I shoul delete the old file. I took a leap of faith (after backing up the old file) and voila, the new map was installed in memory, BUT with a different name. Renamed it and hoped... and it worked.

Great toy... Will try it in a plane next. I am sure the kids will get a kick out of it, as they are also geeks, just like their daddy.

Thank you, Motorcycle Mama.

Your GPSr model:
c340
When you bought it:
Aug 28th 07
Did you get your upgrade free?
No, I paid for it by buying the unit (nothing is free)
What did you have to do to get it free?:
I registered it and was informed about the update
Do you know who you dealt with at Garmin
All done online

I bought it within the time frame that constitutes an upgrade. If you bought it before that time frame then I can understand saying you got it for free

This may sound like a dumb question, but how do I check the map version of the Nuvi 360 I just ordered?

StreetPilot C330- bought it at the end of July. They put the new maps on the web in the beginning of August. 2 emails and 2 phone calls later, I still got the old free update does not come with your product because your unit doesnt' have the memory for canadian maps just US.
Doesn't make any sense. I work for a computer company and am recommending a different product for our technicians to purchase. I don't want the company to put up with the extra expense for no good reason

If it didn't have the information on the page from which you ordered it, once you get your nuvi, go to Wrench/Settings > Map > Map Info. The map version will be on that page.

I am totally sold on Garmin in large because of there GREAT customer service. Garmin has replaced a 660 for me in the past practically no questions asked. They also sent me the update for my 670 for free and I was happy but I would have gladly paid for it if necessary.

*Nuvi 670
*Purchased: Late Apr 2007
*One call on 7/20/07
*They did not ask for receipt.

As usual I was nice on the phone and they were nice and sent the update. It took maybe a week or so to receive.

Thanks So Much

I purchased my nuvi 350 in January, 2007. I emailed Garmin about a month ago and, as 'amontman' said "being nice", I stated I didn't expect a free update but would think paying 1/2 price would be fair since I only got a half-year use out of it. Much to my surprise he said he would send it out with no charge, asking me to be patient as there was a large back order to fill. Got 'er today sent 'Next Day Air Early A.M.'. Installed it, absolutely no problems.

Garmin, you're the best! How can my next GPS not be Garmin with service like that? Maybe a nuvi 7xx series??

RT

I bought a Nuvi that had the most recent software (City Navigator NT v8) and called Customer Service to see if I could get the DVD...they didn't even put up a fuss...said they would ship it out immediately.

Very nice...

1. Model Nuvi 370
2. Purchased 8/23/2007
3. Received free upgrade on 9/20/2007
4. Requested free upgrade during the on-line registration process
5. Only problem is they sent it on a DVD and my old laptop and old desk top only have CD capability.

Read other post on map update,some one figured it out for the C330 using the SD slot too load the rest of the map.
The 2008 went up in price in the stores,even the C330 too.Going for $249.00 B/B,about $228.00 walmart on-line.
The C330 is still a hot GPS because of the price.
I see a lot of people with GPS in there cars.
Ron

Go to best buy and plug it in! I did that once when I needed to burn a DVD. Of course, that didn't an hour like the update does.

I finally got my update for my nuvi660. It took almost a month, but I'm not complaining. Garmin rocks.

Model: Nuvi 350
Purchased 4/19/07
Got free upgrade after 2 phone call to tech support and 1 email.
i didnt have to show any receipt but my call did have to get forwarded to a manager becuase i just missed the deadline. they sent me an email confirmation on the free upgrade but have not received it yet. they said it was on back order.

1. Model Nuvi 350
2. Purchased 8/30/2007
3. Received free upgrade on 10/01/2007
4. Requested free upgrade during the on-line registration process
5. took 3 weeks from request, arrived via UPS. slow install

Here is the response I got. I bought the Nuvi 350 in March.

Thank you for contacting Garmin International, Unfortunately you would
have needed to purchase the unit after May 1st in order to receive the
update at no charge.

With Best Regards,

Charles D
Product Support Specialist
Automotive Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Charles D
www.garmin.com

This may be Garmin's guideline, but it's evidentially "adjustable". I got my nuvi350 in January, 2007, and I got a free update. Don't give up, but be nice. "It's the squeaky wheel that gets greased!"

RT

I just called garmin yesterday No problem with C530 update the tech said that as long as was purchased after may 1st.

I got me a Kenwood Excelon DDX 8019 and installed the optional Kenwood KNA G510 Nav unit. This unit is manufactured by Garmin and on its website it tells you that if you purchased a Kenwood product to go to another link. Since my NAV unit is treated as a separate thing (because it was designed for Kenwood) I may be on the losing side of getting a free map update... I just purchased it last Monday (Oct. 1st).

But I had no way to verify it was actually coming
after several emails with tech support they finally sent me a ups tracking number ... Since I was new to their site I was confused as to what I had ordered ... hmmm ... burp !

I have c550 when the DVD came. I put it in my drive it came up and then took about an hour to install it did everything automagically then I shut the unit off and it came up with the maps installed.

Bill

I didn't even call them, I decided to try the email route first and see what happens....this is what I wrote, and below it is the response I got 2 days later.

This is the response I got

only took 2 days to get response...no problems....yet.

I just received my new map update last week in the mail. it was a good thing i was sick and off of work that day because they just rang the bell and left it at the door. it took a long time to install. amost 2 hours.
the point is that i recieved it and it works and im happy.

I finally got my Nuvi 360 and it had the 2008 maps pre loaded.

-Model: Garmin Nuvi 350
-Purchased on Jun 1, 2007
-Requested Free upgrade via Email--- NO RESPONSE
-Then called to tech support and got free upgrade. I got DVD in about 9 days.
-All I had to do was give him the serial no of my unit.
-I didn't ask the name of the Tech Support personnel.

Model: Nuvi 350
Purchased 5/03/07
Got free upgrade after single phone call to tech support.
All I had to do was email a copy of my sales receipt.
I spoke with weekend 2nd shift Tech Support person via email, unknown name.

I have two SP C330 upgrades to report. First was simple email request from my father for his unit. Marie L. replied:

Dear XXXXX,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International, I'll be happy to assist you with your request. On May 1,2007 Garmin International announced that they would no longer offer free updates. Since this announcement came at the same time of a new update being released, Garmin agreed to give 1 free update, per unit purchased. We have never said anything about free updates forever or for 1 year. Garmin releases updates every 12-14 months. If you purchased your unit after May 1, 2007 you are entitled to a free update. Go to the website listed below and enter your serial number. If you qualify it will automatically order the update for you at no charge.
http://www8.garmin.com/unlock/update.jsp
With Best Regards.
Marie L.
Garmin International

Second letter he recieved:

Dear XXXXX,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International, I'll be happy to assist you with your request. The unit you purchased does not qualify for a free update. There has been a significant price reduction for that unit allowing the consumer to more easily afford to update the product.

With Best Regards,
Marie L.
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att:

????? What? Unit has been reduced in price and you should use the savings to buy the update yourself!

I was mad as hell at this kind of response. I called Garmin and spoke to Abdul K. Sisiwa. He was most helpfull and sent us the DVD update with no problems.

Second unit (SP C330) for my mother was also granted the update. No problems with phone call to Abdul.

Marie L. on the other hand, avoid contact with her. ...
Just call and ask for Abdul.

Bought my Nuvi 680 on July 18. Ordered the free update online via "My Garmin website" on 9/18 and received it on 10/8. Problem free update.

redbarber wrote:

Since so many have reported inconsistancies with Garmin's map update process, I was just curious. Please respond to this thread if you have an experience (either positive or negative) with getting the latest map version for your Garmin GPSr. Please include:

* Your GPSr model
* When you bought it
* Did you get your upgrade free?
* What did you have to do to get it free?
* If you were unable to obtain a free update, what was the reason given?
* Do you know who you dealt with at Garmin

Gps Model...Etrex Legend CX,
Bought Christmas 2006..But Bought the Software NT City nav,,Ver7 in Jan.
Yes got free Upgrade..
1st call to the Off road and camping guys,,,

GPS Model C330 " the Red Head Step Child"
1st call got the run around..and told the 2008 will not fit..Blah Blah Blah..
Told them I want it anyway. as all of the US will fit and if I go to Canada..Ill delete California.
They were down to It will be $35...
2nd call..got a great guy Trey...He was very happy to see I had registered it online..and also had 2 other Garmin Units. Set me the 2008 disk no problem...

No free update for my C530...

Got the half price offer though...

**Its true, any one who bought a Gamin after May 2007** is eligible for a free NavCity 2008 upgrade within 90 days of purchase...but most importantly and this is where people in the forum are missing.....as long as the unit is registered. I would like to add, if individuals register online at the Garmin website, that they will get a screen where its says if you want a free 2008 upgrade disc. Duh, who the heck wouldn't!!! This whole upgrade and having to call garmin to get free mapsource software to operate at home, is there way of keeping cost down and especially spending. The only way individuals will find out about free software available with unit is if they call with a tech question and the support line says:"Oh, I'll send you a disc to fix it". No B.S. What happened to the days where you got the installation discs with the item....? I hope this feedback helps and make sure to register your item with the 90 days of purchase you guys. I've never been appart of any forum or website...but I love this one. Its the most easiest and friendlist POI site. And no, no one paid me to say this Have a nice day you guys.
Go UW-Milwaukee Panthers!!